Spring is in the air and with it comes Saint-Cloud’s Gr.3 Prix Exbury, first group flat race on the European calendar. For 4 year-olds and up, and covering 2000m, Saturday’s season-opener will be run on very demanding going and the 2024 edition has drawn a small but select field of six.

Bottomless-ground-lover, Haya Zark won 12 months ago and his trainer, Adrien Fouassier, has been bullish about his 5 year-old’s form who, in spite of a busy 2023 which ended on a modest note, appears to be back on track as he approaches his seasonal bow. Unlikely to be so heavily-campaigned in 2024, his handler is confident he can secure the double.

Highest-rated horse in the field, Horizon Doré has not been seen out since his unproductive Hong Kong Cup performance last December, but is a serious horse with pretensions on some foreign titles this year. He gives 2kg to the field but his first start back will nevertheless be followed with interest. 

The supplemented American Flag finished third in a Listed here nine days ago, even though he looked somewhat rusty, but if Yann Barberot backs him up, he must think his colt is in with a shout.

Winner of his first three starts before running second to Iresine, ahead of a certain Junko, in the Gr.2 Prix du Conseil last October, Marquisat has not been seen out since but is undeniably very talented and will be one to watch.

William Haggas saddles Mujtaba who makes his first start since coming second in a Chester Gr.2 ten months ago, but if he is making the trip, it’s for a reason. It will be a tougher task, however, for Gryphon whose five victories have all been achieved in Poland.